---
title: "Skyfall"
year: 2012
kind: "film"
canonical: "https://film.one/film/skyfall"
fi1m_id: "skyfall"
imdb_id: "tt1074638"
tmdb_id: 37724
wikidata_id: "Q4941"
fi1m_score: 81
critics_score: 77
critics_reviews: 13
published: "2026-09-15"
updated: "2026-09-18T08:37:41.169464+00:00"
region: "SE"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Skyfall (2012)

Directed by Sam Mendes · 2h 23m · Statens medieråd 15 · Action, Adventure, Thriller

## Identity

Skyfall

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/film/skyfall
- **Type:** Film
- **Fi1m ID:** skyfall
- **IMDb ID:** tt1074638
- **TMDB ID:** 37724
- **Wikidata ID:** Q4941
- **Same entity:** https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1074638/, https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/37724, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4941

**Fi1m score: 81** · Critics 77 from 13 reviews

*In a sentence:* Judi Dench telling Bond off is reason enough to keep the intelligence service running

> Sam Mendes makes an absorbing Bond thriller, with Daniel Craig and Judi Dench giving its personal troubles proper weight. Roger Deakins’ photography rewards close attention, though the screenplay explains more about Bond than we need.

## Synopsis

James Bond (Daniel Craig) faces a personal crisis that puts his relationship with M (Judi Dench) at the centre of his work. Silva (Javier Bardem) presents a threat that makes the conflict personal, while Bond’s past and his place in the intelligence service come under scrutiny. M takes a central role, with Gareth Mallory (Ralph Fiennes), Eve (Naomie Harris) and Q (Ben Whishaw) also involved. Sam Mendes directs this spy thriller, which combines Bond’s assignments with a closer look at the relationships behind his work.

## Review

Sam Mendes makes the relationship between James Bond and M worth the attention usually reserved for the villain. *Skyfall* is a confident, affecting thriller, and we recommend it despite a tendency to explain more about Bond than we need. Daniel Craig and Judi Dench make the personal stakes convincing. There is enough between these two to sustain our interest through 143 minutes, even when the film starts taking its time.

Craig makes Bond’s uncertainty visible without turning him into a man waiting to be rescued. His reserve gives Dench something solid to push against. We were moved by the effort she puts into remaining severe with him. Her clipped delivery makes M’s authority seem necessary to her, and not entirely comfortable. Craig responds with a watchfulness that makes even their professional exchanges feel personal.

Roger Deakins gives the action clean outlines and enough room for us to follow Craig’s movements. His care with faces matters too: Bond’s discomfort remains visible within the polished image. Dennis Gassner’s production design suits the film’s concern with authority, giving the confrontations a sense of formality. These are spaces in which people look accustomed to being obeyed. That formality works particularly well for Dench, whose performance makes authority seem like a daily responsibility rather than an excuse to issue orders.

Javier Bardem’s Silva is a welcome disruption of all this restraint. Bardem makes the character’s theatricality unsettling, allowing us to enjoy the performance without forgetting the hostility underneath it. The broadness occasionally threatens to turn a confrontation into a solo performance, but he gives Craig a useful change of rhythm. Ben Whishaw supplies another as Q, making intelligence seem brisk and practical, and bringing some welcome impatience to a film whose principal characters have plenty to brood over.

Neal Purvis, Robert Wade and John Logan are less sure of how far to pursue Bond’s private troubles. His relationship with M already gives us plenty to consider, and the additional attention to his past can feel like an explanation delivered after we have understood. Craig and Dench do enough with a pause or a look that some of the psychological explanation feels unnecessary. Those stretches slow the film, and its length starts to tell.

Stuart Baird’s editing is more persuasive in the action than in these reflective passages. Physical movement has a clear rhythm, while some of the dramatic pauses feel like permission to admire the film’s seriousness. Thomas Newman’s score helps keep the action urgent without trying to supply all its excitement. The music gives Baird a steady pulse to work with, and helps the film regain pace after its longer conversations.

As a spy thriller, *Skyfall* takes an unusual amount of interest in the strain of doing the job. It still enjoys the well-cut suit and the extravagant adversary, so its seriousness seldom feels like a rebuke to anyone who came for entertainment. The balance will suit those who want Bond to remain a person when the action stops. Choose it when there is time to let Craig and Dench have their conversations.

*Fi1m score 81, published 15 September 2026.*

## What the critics say

Most critics welcome Skyfall as a confident Bond film that preserves the action, humour and style while giving its characters more emotional weight. Praise centres on Sam Mendes’ handling of Bond’s relationship with M, Roger Deakins’ cinematography and performances from Daniel Craig, Judi Dench and Javier Bardem. The prevailing view is that the personal stakes strengthen the familiar pleasures, with Bardem’s villain drawing particular attention for his menace and theatricality.

The disagreement is sharp rather than widespread, and much of it concerns that same attempt to humanise Bond. The Independent finds that backstory costs him some mystery and wit, despite admiring the set pieces and photography. The Financial Times sees the solemn approach as generic thriller-making with too little Bond elegance, while The New Yorker finds calculation rather than a coherent artistic vision. Elsewhere, reservations about uneven tone, underpowered action and a broad villain qualify otherwise favourable reviews.

## Straight answers

**Is Skyfall worth watching?**

*Skyfall* is worth watching, and we scored it 81. Sam Mendes makes a confident, affecting Bond thriller in which the relationship between Daniel Craig's Bond and Judi Dench's M carries as much weight as the villain. The screenplay explains more about Bond's past than we need, and its 143 minutes start to tell, but the two leads sustain it.

**How long is Skyfall, and what is it rated?**

*Skyfall* runs 2h 23m and is rated 15 by the Statens medieråd in Sweden. It is an action and adventure film.

**Where can I watch Skyfall in Sweden?**

*Skyfall* is available to rent from Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV from kr 39.00. Availability is checked daily; the links above go straight to each service.

**How violent or frightening is Skyfall, and is it suitable for children?**

*Skyfall* is a 12A, so it is a Bond film with fights, shootouts and a menacing villain rather than anything graphic. Javier Bardem's Silva is unsettling in a theatrical way, and the film dwells on strain and personal trouble more than most in the series. Older children used to action films should be fine; younger ones may find the mood heavy.

**How does Skyfall compare to Quantum of Solace?**

*Skyfall* is the better film by a clear margin, and the more absorbing evening. [*Quantum of Solace*](https://film.one/film/quantum-of-solace) gets Bond's grief right but saddles him with a villain with a small plan and action cut so fast you cannot follow it; *Skyfall* has a memorable adversary, clean action photographed by Roger Deakins, and a proper drama between Bond and M.

**Do you need to have seen the other James Bond films before Skyfall?**

*Skyfall* stands on its own, and a newcomer can start here without difficulty. The plot turns on Bond's relationship with M and his place in the service, and the film explains that background as it goes, if anything more than it needs to. Those who have seen the earlier Daniel Craig films will feel the personal stakes a little more, but nothing depends on it.

**What should I watch after Skyfall?**

After *Skyfall*, try [*The Lives of Others*](https://film.one/film/the-lives-of-others) (2006, Fi1m 84): For surveillance suspense that becomes more involving as professional certainty weakens. Then [*Infernal Affairs*](https://film.one/film/infernal-affairs) (2002, Fi1m 87): For divided loyalties, controlled performances and suspense built around keeping up appearances; and [*North by Northwest*](https://film.one/film/north-by-northwest) (1959, Fi1m 89): For immaculate suits, an unsettling adversary and danger with better comic timing.

**What order should I watch the James Bond films in?**

Release order is the safe choice for James Bond, and it is the order [our collection page](https://film.one/collections/james-bond) lists them in. *Skyfall* is number 25 of the 27 James Bond titles on Fi1m; before it comes [*Quantum of Solace*](https://film.one/film/quantum-of-solace) and after it [*Spectre*](https://film.one/film/spectre). [The full order.](https://film.one/collections/james-bond.md)

### Reviews we read (25)

- **Radio Times**, Jamie Healy (5/5): The critic lauds the film as one of the best in the series, praising Mendes for blending classic Bond elements with a compelling human drama between Bond and M. It highlights the strong performances, especially Javier Bardem as the villain, and the high production values including cinematography and the theme song. [Read](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-k7zjeg/skyfall/)
- **Evening Standard** (85/100, inferred): The review celebrates the film as premium Bond with joyous set pieces, witty references to earlier films and strong performances, especially from Bardem and Whishaw. [Read](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/first-review-of-skyfall-007s-return-is-premium-bond-8209838.html)
- **Time Out**, Dave Calhoun (4/5): Calhoun finds Skyfall a highly distinctive Bond film that successfully mixes tradition and progress with a sombre mood and stunning visuals. He singles out the emotional depth rooted in Bond's personal crisis and Bardem's creepy, challenging villain. [Read](https://www.timeout.com/movies/skyfall)
- **Financial Times**, Leo Robson (40/100, inferred): The review finds the solemn, Bourne-influenced approach lacking in traditional Bond elements and elegance, resulting in a film that feels indistinguishable from generic thrillers despite some borrowings and performances. [Read](https://www.ft.com/content/a1a00f38-1e8d-11e2-be82-00144feabdc0)
- **The New Yorker**, Richard Brody (30/100, inferred): The critic sees the film as a blend of emotion-tugging realism and calculation that ultimately lacks aesthetic principle or vision. One element singled out for complaint is its aspiration merely to self-perpetuation as a machine-like production. [Read](https://www.newyorker.com/culture/richard-brody/skyfall-the-bond-market)
- **Empire**, Kim Newman: Skyfall delivers everything expected from a modern Bond while adding depth, strong visuals from Roger Deakins, a complex villain in Javier Bardem, and effective use of British locations and anniversary nods, making it cool, respectful of tradition, and fun. [Read](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/skyfall-review/)
- **Los Angeles Times**, Betsy Sharkey: Skyfall keeps Bond sharp at 50 with sharper spy-craft, deeper intrigue, and brighter beauties, while adding emotional peaks and valleys. Mendes brings introspection and artistry without losing the franchise's essential action and style. [Read](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/moviesnow/la-et-mn-skyfall-review-james-bond-20121108-story.html)
- **Sight and Sound**, Henry K. Miller: The review celebrates Skyfall as a successful return to form for the Bond series under Sam Mendes, emphasizing its visual splendor and emotional depth centered on Bond's relationship with M. It singles out Roger Deakins’ camerawork and Javier Bardem’s campy villain for particular praise, while critiquing the theme song. [Read](https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/reviews/film-week-skyfall)
- **Slant Magazine**: The critic hails Skyfall as a remarkable high watermark for the series, solemn yet funny, sexy and sad, that successfully balances action, humor, and self-awareness while proving the franchise's ongoing relevance through strong direction, Deakins' cinematography, and standout turns from Craig and Bardem. [Read](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/skyfall/)
- **The Guardian**, Peter Bradshaw: Skyfall is a hugely enjoyable action spectacular, more grounded than Quantum of Solace. It is praised for its stylish direction by Sam Mendes, strong performances especially from Judi Dench as M and Javier Bardem as the villain, and its balance of extravagance and realism. [Read](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2012/oct/25/skyfall-review)
- **The Hollywood Reporter**, Todd McCarthy: The critic calls Skyfall a serious and spectacular show that resets the Bond series effectively, connecting it to real-world concerns while delivering gripping drama, humor, and high production values under Mendes' direction and Deakins' cinematography. It highlights strong performances from Craig and Bardem as a standout villain. [Read](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/skyfall-review-daniel-craig-378796/)
- **The Independent**: The film gets the Bond series back on track with strong set pieces, Roger Deakins's photography, and a standout villain in Javier Bardem, but the critic has reservations about the script's attempt to humanize Bond with backstory and emotional depth at the expense of his traditional mystery and wit. [Read](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/review-mean-and-touchyfeely-james-bond-is-back-on-track-in-skyfall-8227044.html)
- **The New York Times**, Manohla Dargis (Critic’s Pick): The critic praises the film's focus on the human factor in the spy world and Daniel Craig's Bond in a sleek suit powering through action sequences. Mendes is lauded for delivering a strong entry that explores emotional depth alongside Bondian thrills. [Read](https://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/08/movies/skyfall-with-daniel-craig-as-james-bond.html)
- **The Times**, Kate Muir: Skyfall is described as a triumphant return to classic Bond that balances fan service with sophisticated filmmaking. Daniel Craig and Judi Dench are praised, along with the action set-pieces and the ending in Scotland. [Read](https://www.thetimes.com/culture/film/article/review-skyfall-6x783ghzwqr)
- **Total Film**, Neil Smith: The film audaciously deconstructs Bond while delivering a thrilling, glamorous ride with excellent performances, especially from Javier Bardem and Judi Dench, strong visuals, and emotional undertones that mark the Craig era coming of age. [Read](https://www.gamesradar.com/skyfall-review/)
- **Variety**, Peter Debruge: Skyfall is a smart, savvy and incredibly satisfying addition to the 007 series that places M at the center and gives Bond backstory. Mendes breaks from formula while staying true to essentials, exploring characters' emotional states in fresh ways. [Read](https://variety.com/2012/film/reviews/skyfall-1117948556/)
- **Vulture**, David Edelstein: The critic praises the film's witty, cheeky engagement with Bond iconography and its thrilling Oedipal and biblical undertones, crediting Mendes for elevating the material with elegant shots, audacious action, and a brilliant, menacing performance from Bardem as the villain Silva. It concludes that the myth is mightier than ever. [Read](https://www.vulture.com/2012/11/movie-review-skyfall.html)
- **NME**, Eve Barlow (95/100, inferred): The critic hails it as the greatest Bond film ever, praising its simple yet sophisticated plot, cool British spirit, Bardem's terrifying villain, and how it feels fresh and relevant without overcomplicating things. It captures a post-Olympics sense of national pride and classic Bond elements done right. [Read](https://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/skyfall-reviewed-758898)
- **Collider**, Matt Goldberg (A-): The critic praises Skyfall as one of the series' most exhilarating and captivating entries, highlighting Sam Mendes' masterful direction, Roger Deakins' gorgeous cinematography, and the film's self-reflective exploration of the Bond franchise's identity. It singles out Javier Bardem's devilish yet sympathetic performance as Silva for particular praise. [Read](https://collider.com/skyfall-review/)
- **The Wrap**, Alonso Duralde (90/100, inferred): The critic hails "Skyfall" as a nuanced thriller that ranks among the top five Bond films, praising its blend of wit, excitement, and character focus. They single out the intelligent script and Sam Mendes' direction for effectively mixing action with emotional depth, along with standout performances from Daniel Craig and Javier Bardem. [Read](https://www.thewrap.com/skyfall-review-nuanced-thriller-leaps-top-five-007-movies-63971/)
- **Digital Spy**, Simon Reynolds (85/100, inferred): The critic calls it a stylish improvement that respects Bond's history while pushing into new personal territory, praising the clean narrative, blistering action sequences, Bardem's creepy villain, and Craig's depth as Bond. It elevates the series with strong performances overall. [Read](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a430166/skyfall-review-james-bond-celebrates-50-years-in-style/)
- **Eye for Film**, Max Crawford (85/100, inferred): The critic highlights it as the best-looking Bond film thanks to Roger Deakins' cinematography and appreciates the fan-pleasing references and strong performances, especially from Bardem and Dench, while noting it's accessible even to newcomers. [Read](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/skyfall-2012-film-review-by-stuart-crawford)
- **The Playlist**, The Playlist Staff (B+): The review lauds the emphasis on character and story, strong ensemble and villain performances, and gorgeous visuals by Deakins, but criticizes the action sequences for lacking thrill and notes some over-extension and missteps. [Read](https://theplaylist.net/review-sam-mendes-007-film-skyfall-sees-james-bond-back-to-his-best-20121012/)
- **Den of Geek**, Ryan Lambie (4/5): The critic praises Mendes' direction for establishing a fresh, confident style of action and character depth that moves away from shaky-cam influences, highlighting strong pacing, Roger Deakins' cinematography, and supporting performances. The villain is singled out as uneven and less menacing than hoped. [Read](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/skyfall-spoiler-free-review/)
- **HeyUGuys**, Jon Lyus (4/5): The critic praises the film's stunning cinematography by Roger Deakins and the personal, human approach to Bond's character, calling it both classic and new. They note some uneven tone and broad villain but overall find it exhilarating and triumphant. [Read](https://www.heyuguys.com/skyfall-review/)

## Details

- **Director:** Sam Mendes
- **Director:** Sam Mendes
- **Screenplay:** John Logan, Neal Purvis, Robert Wade
- **Cinematography:** Roger Deakins
- **Editor:** Stuart Baird
- **Music:** Thomas Newman
- **Production design:** Dennis Gassner
- **Costume design:** Jany Temime
- **Producer:** Michael G. Wilson, Barbara Broccoli
- **Cast:** Daniel Craig as James Bond; Judi Dench as M; Javier Bardem as Silva; Ralph Fiennes as Gareth Mallory; Naomie Harris as Eve; Bérénice Marlohe as Séverine; Albert Finney as Kincade; Ben Whishaw as Q
- **Runtime:** 2h 23m
- **Certificate (Statens medieråd):** 15
- **Release (Sweden):** 26 October 2012
- **Genres:** Action, Adventure, Thriller
- **Part of:** [James Bond](https://film.one/collections/james-bond.md) · 25 of 27
- **Budget:** $200 million
- **Box office:** $1.11 billion
- **Trailer:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvV3g8hLlyU

## Where to watch in Sweden

- Amazon Prime Video: rent kr 39.00, hd
- Apple TV: rent kr 39.00, hd
- Amazon Prime Video: buy kr 99.00, hd
- Apple TV: buy kr 99.00, hd

*Checked 2026-09-15.*

Also available in: AE, AR, AT, AU, BE, BG, BR, CA, CH, CL, CO, CZ, DE, DK, EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HK, HU, ID, IE, IL, IN, IT, JP, LT, MX, MY, NL, NO, NZ, PA, PH, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SG, TH, TR, UA, US, VN, ZA. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country.

## Awards

- Academy Awards 2013: Best Cinematography (nominated); Best Original Score (nominated); Best Sound (nominated); Best Sound Editing (won)

## If you liked this

- *The Spy Who Came in from the Cold* (1965): For another British agent discovering how little comfort his profession offers.
- *The Lives of Others* (2006), Fi1m 84: For surveillance suspense that becomes more involving as professional certainty weakens. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/the-lives-of-others.md)
- *The American* (2010): For a quieter thriller about a dangerous professional struggling to remain detached.
- *Infernal Affairs* (2002), Fi1m 87: For divided loyalties, controlled performances and suspense built around keeping up appearances. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/infernal-affairs.md)
- *North by Northwest* (1959), Fi1m 89: For immaculate suits, an unsettling adversary and danger with better comic timing. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/north-by-northwest.md)

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/film/skyfall